There are different types of nurses, each with its own unique set of responsibilities. For example, registered nurses (RNs) provide direct patient care, while nurse practitioners (NPs) may offer direct patient care and research. Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) focus on providing primary care to women, including prenatal and postpartum care. Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), provide basic nursing care in some states.
Some terms often confuse the nursing students or practicing nurses. Let’s look at one of them, known as a bedside nurse.
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What is Bedside Nursing?
Bedside nursing is the act of providing care to patients who are hospitalized. Nurses who work in this capacity are responsible for various tasks, including taking vital signs, administering medication, and assisting with activities of daily living. In addition to direct patient care, bedside nurses also play a critical role in patient education and discharge planning.
What are the Responsibilities of a Bedside Nurse?
Bedside nurses play a critical role in the delivery of quality patient care. The responsibility of a bedside nurse include:
- Taking vital signs
- Administering medication
- Assisting with activities of daily living
- Providing patient education
- Discharge planning
What are the Benefits of Bedside Nursing?
The benefits of bedside nursing include:
- Patient satisfaction increases
- Improved patient outcomes
- Enhanced nurse-patient communication
- Greater opportunities for patient education
- More time to provide individualized care
What are the Challenges of Bedside Nursing?
The challenges of bedside nursing include:
- Increased workloads during shift changes
- Time constraints
- Heavy workloads
- Emotional stress
- Exposure to infectious diseases
- Risk of injury
Bedside Nursing Certification
An RN does not require any such certification, but many nurses choose to pursue certification to demonstrate their commitment to the profession. The American Nurses Association offers a variety of certification programs for bedside nurses, including the Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) and Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) programs.
Salary and Career Outlook for Bedside Nurses
The median annual salary for bedside nurses is $64,690. The career outlook for bedside nurses is positive, with a projected growth rate of 16% from 2018 to 2028. This growth is due in part to the increasing demand for healthcare services.
FAQs:
What is a Bedside Nurse?
A bedside nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who provides direct patient care. Bedside nurses may work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. They play a critical role in delivering quality patient care and are often the first point of contact for patients and their families.
How to become a bedside nurse?
To become a bedside nurse, one must first complete an accredited nursing program. After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, nurses can apply for a position in a hospital or other healthcare setting. Some bedside nurses may choose to specialize in a particular area of nursing, such as critical care or Pediatrics.
Conclusion
Bedside nursing is a rewarding career that offers many benefits, including the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of patients. If you are interested in becoming a bedside nurse, be sure to complete an accredited nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
Mrs. Marie Brown has been a registered nurse for over 25 years. She began her nursing career at a Level I Trauma Center in downtown Chicago, Illinois. There she worked in the Emergency Department and on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. After several years, she moved to the Midwest and continued her nursing career in a critical care setting. For the last 10 years of her nursing career, Mrs. Brown worked as a flight nurse with an air ambulance service. During this time, she cared for patients throughout the United States.